Reverse flow surge washer



DeC- 2, 1952 J. H. DALEY z-:T AL

REVERSE FLOW SURGE WASHER Filed OCT.. lo, 1946 0 j I d M o d u Li .m Tc n 1 I A uw /J w lV JQ NY m\ mm QN 00 uw e mm\ j mM MN .wNVl ,.WNM- QW. uw I. RN N IIII''I. P l Sm.

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N RN. QN s Nm Patented Dec. 2, 1952 UNITED STATES ATENT YOFFICE .lohn H. .'Daleyfand Elmer South Gate, Cali Applicationzctober 10, 1946, `Serial-No. 702,556 6 Claims. (Cl. 134-56) This invention relates .to apparatus for Washing through articles for the purpose ,of cleaning them and more particularly deals with 4apparatusiorsurgeor.reverse flow through radiators, dish Washers, parts washers or any device which needs fiuidow for cleaning the same. The apparatus .contemplated may also be usedfor sludg ingor de-scaling combustion engines, transmissions or diierentials.

The main object of the present invention is to provide `a `novel and improved `device embodying an apparatus for surge washing alternately in "both directions through articles such as above enumerated.

Another .object of 'the invention is to provide such a device'in which the reverse cycle changes automatically to lgive rapid and eiiicient operaation.

.Another object of the invention is to provide a two-Way surge washer of the type indicated which not only automaticallyreverses its directional 'ow (but also starts operating .automatically `and continues 'to function `until stopped.

A further object of the 'invention is to provide a washing apparatus `as indicated which may be pre-setto give variouslrates of cycle changes and thereby to obtain surges of longer or shorter duration'through the `article being Washed.

A stilliurther object of the invention is to provide apparatus of the character indicated which is arranged as a unitary device adapted to be portable for ready conveyance to station ary Aarticles to be washed.

This invention also `has'for its objects to provide suchmeans that are positive in operation, convenient lin use, easily installed in a working position and easily disconnected therefrom,

economical of manufacture, relatively simple, and 4of ygeneral superiority and serViCeability.

The Iinvention also comprises novel details of construction and novel combinations and arrangements of parts, which `will more `fully appear in the course ofthe following description, However, the drawings merely show and the io1- 'lowing description merely describes one embodiment `of 'the present invention, which is given by way of illustration or `example only.

In vthe drawings, like reference charactersdesignate similar parts in the several views.

lFig. l is a semi-diagrammatic view half in L elevation and half in sectionof a unitary device embodying the apparatus of the `present invention.

Fig. 2 `:is `an Venlarged cross-sectional view as takenon the line/2 2 of Fig. 1.

The apparatus which is generally, `a base `5 `which ported on caster wheels .in aconventional manner; a pair of similar tanks E and l mounted on the base E; pre-settable liquid level control means 3 in each tank; a iiow pipe 9 in each tank `each rhaving an outer connection to an article it to be iiushed by the-present apparatus; a diaphragm controlled valve H connected between-each of said means t. and a pneumatic pressure source such as a-pressure regulatingand reducing valve i 2 and a venting valve it operativelyfassociated `with each valve i i for `effecting alternate venting or release of pressure in the tanks .l5 and l,

lnasmuch as the tanks 5 and l and the apparatus connected to each are identical, only one need be described. The reference numbers to the parts associated with tank 'I are identiedby the letter d The tank comprisesa cylinder it of suitable capacity and provided with-an air-tight cover I The latter, preferably, is provided with a plug l5 sealing an inlet Il through which the tank't may be filled with a suitable cleaning fluid. A suitable drain for the tank `may be provided in a conventional manner.

The liquid level control means v8 in tank 8 is shown as comprising a vertical pipe it carried by the cover l5 and extending longitudinally as at Il@ into `the tank to a point adjacent the bottom thereof. An upper extension I9 of said pipe is also provided. The pipe 28 is provided with Aa series of spacedopenings 2 i, 22, 23,24 and 25, each having a different angular disposition. .A connection `26 is provided` in the pipe 2Q adjacent the cover l 5 and a connection 2l to the pipe i d is also provided.

A sleeve or pipe 2B is `iitted -in the pipe 2li and a rotatable connection 2S havinga manual handle 3i! extends through a sealed end 3| of `the pipe I9 and Ais connected to pipe 28. The latter is open at the bottom and provided with aseries of vertically aligned spaced .holes 32, one .in horizontal alignment with each hole 2l, `22, 2.3, 2a and 25. Because of the different angular dispositions oi the latter holes, only one hole 3?. can be .placed in register with-oneof the holes 2l,`22, l2li, .24 and at a time. Suitable manipulation of handle 30 can eect this adjustment to communicate tht interior of pipe 28 with the interior of tank .t `at different levels of said tank.

The flow `pipe 9 has a portion 33 in the |.tank generally Acoextensive with the pipe 25)..sad portion V33 near its 'bottom being rprovided with .a spring loaded check valve "35 which `checks `ilow downward through the bottom of the pipe but is adapted to be supopens for upward flow by a pressure on the liquid in the tank. The connection 26 connects to the pipe portion 33 beneath and adjacent to the cover I5 and a swing check 35 in said connection permits ow only from pipe 33 to pipe I8.

The pipe 9 has an outer extension 36 in which is embodied a sight glass 31 and the outer end of which is provided with a suitable connection 38 to the article I0. The connection 3B is made to one now passage of said article and the connection 38a. to the other flow passage.

The controlled Valve I| comprises a body 39 in which a poppet 40 controls flow from a line 4I to a line 42 connected to the pipe 21. A stem 43 on said poppet engages a stem 44 on a diaphragm 45 in a housing 46. The pipe 21 communicates with said housing so that air pressure on the diaphragm will flex the same to cause stems 44 and 43 to unseat the poppet 4D and allow ow through valve 39.

The air pressure reducing and regulating valve I2 is generally conventional having a high pressure inlet 41 from a source of pressure, a low pressure outlet through line 4| to valve 39 and a similar low pressure outlet through line 4Ia to valve 39a.

The venting valve I3 comprises a body 48 which has a poppet 49 controlling flow from a pipe 5i), connected to the tank 1 above the topmost hole in pipe a, to an outlet port 5| in the valve body. A stem 52 on poppet 49 engages poppet 48 so that said poppets move in unison for simultaneous opening and closing of the valves and I3. A spring 60 normally holds valves 49 and 49 closed.

In operation, an article I to be flush cleaned is connected in series with the pipes 38 and 38a substantially as indicated. The plug I' is removed and one tank, say the tank E, is illed with the iiushing liquid to the approximate level shown. The plug is replaced. The handles 3|] and a, are then turned to register one of the openings 32 in pipes 28 and 28a with one of the openings 2|, 22, 23, 24 or 25 in pipes 29 and 29a. In this instance, it is assumed that, as shown in Fig. 2, openings 32 and 2| are registered to give the slowest cycle change. The valve l2 is operated to open lines 4| and 4Ia.

When the ushing liquid poured in tank 6 rose above the level of the registered openings 32 and 2|, air was trapped in pipe I9 and 21 and held by swing check 35. Although the unit pressure of this trapped air is small, its total pressure on diaphragm is suiciently large to depress the latter and crack the valve I| by unseating the poppet 49. Thus, when valve I2 is opened, air under pressure from line 4| will now pass through valve II to line 42. This air pressure will further depress diaphragm. 45 to fully unseat poppet 40 and provide for a full flow of compressed air through pipes 21 and I9 into pipe 28. The unseating of poppet 40 will cause unseating of poppet 49 of valve I3 so that the tank 1' is vented through line 53 and port 5| of the latter valve. At this time, valves IIa and |3a are closed, the latter closing vent line 59a of tank B.

The compressed air flowing into pipe 21 Will pass through the registered openings 32 and 2| into the top o tank 6 and will drive the flushing liquid past spring check 34 into pipe 9 and through connections 36 and 38 into article Iii. The liquid, under pressure, Will flush through said article in one direction and will then flow through connections 38a and 36a into pipe 9a where its flow is trapped by check 34a. The iiow can then only pass by swing check 35a into pipe 8a and out into the vented tank 1 through registered openings 32a and 2 Ia and the open bottom of pipe 28a.

The flushing liquid continues to rise in tank 1 until the openings 32a and 2Ia are covered, trapping air in pipes I9a and 21a and causing depression of diaphragm 45a and resulting in cracking of the poppet of valve I Ia and simultaneous cracking of the poppet of valve |3a. The air pressure line 4Ia is thus opened to admit air pressure to the diaphragm 45a and resultant full opening of valves IIa and I3a. Simultaneously, pressure is now directed to pipe 8a and tank 6 is vented through line 50a and valve I3a, since pressure in pipe 21 is released and spring 60 acts to close valves 4|] and 49. Thus, vent 50 is closed and the air pressure to line 42 is shut off.

The pressure in pipe 8a will now act to drive the liquid in tank 1 past check 34a. and through pipe 9a and connection 33a into and through article I9 in the other direction.

It will be noted that the registered apertures 2|, 32 are shown somewhat larger than the passage in pipe 42 and that vent line 50a is approximately the same size as pipe 42. Consequently, the mentioned release of pressure in pipe 21 is effective to allow spring 60 to close valves 49 and 49, since practically all the air supplied by pipes 42 passes out through port 5|a.

It will be evident that the direction of the flushing flow changes automatically as described as the level of liquid rises in each tank alternately to cover the openings 2| and 32 or 2|a. and 32a, as the case may be. Accordingly, should a pair of openings at a lowerlevel in each rtank be aligned, as controlled by handles 30 and 39a., the flushing cycle can be hastened since the cycle changes become effective when the liquid level in a tank reaches the aligned openings therein.

The surges or pulses for similar pre-setting oi the registered openings in both tanks will be of similar duration. However, should the duration of the surges in one direction be desired to be longer than the duration of the surges in the other direction, a suitably different setting in the tanks may be eiiected.

The cycle of operation can be continued as indicated by the condition of the ushing fluid as seen in the sight glasses 31. The operation is stopped by closing off valve I 2.

While we have illustrated and described what we now regard as the preferred embodiment of our invention, the construction is, of course, sub- Ject to modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of our invention. We, therefore, do not wish to restrict ourselves to the particular form of construction illustrated and described, but desire to avail ourselves of all modications that may fall within the scope oi the appended claims. Y

Having thus described our invention, what we claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. In a flushing apparatus, a tank, an inlet to said tank for flushing liquid, a vent for the tank, a normally-closed control for the vent, a controlled pressure connection to the tank, presettable means for controlling the level of the liquid received by said tank from the inlet while said vent is open, said means comprising anl outer pipe having a set of longitudinally spaced openings and a relatively rotatable inner pipe having a set of openings horizontally aligned with said spaced openings, one set of openings being vertically aligned andthe openings ofthe-other'set being diierently radially directed, both said liquid inlet and said pressure connection being connected to the interior of said pipes, whereby the pipes are adapted to be arranged to register an opening in one pipe With the associated opening in the other to, thereby, trap air displaced by the liquid entering the tank, said pressure connection comprising an extension of the pre-settable means and receptive of said trapped air, and pressure means responsive to the pressure of said trapped air for admitting pressure through said pressure connection to force the liquid from the tank while the vent is closed, and means for operating said vent control.

2. A flushing apparatus comprising two tanks, ya liquid-passing connection between the tanks for iiushing liquid and embodying therein an article to be flushed by liquid ypassing through themiggnnection from one tank to the other, a `vent for leach tank, a normally-closed control for each vent, ya Icontrolled pressure connection to each tank, pre-settable means for controlling the level of the liquid received by one tank from the other through said liquid-passing connection while the vent of said one tank is open, each presettable means comprising an outer pipe having a set of longitudinally spaced openings and a relatively rotatable inner pipe having la set of openings horizontally aligned with the spaced openings, one set of openings being vertically aligned and the openings of the other set being differently radially directed, the ends of the liq uid-.passing connection and the pressure connections being connected to the interiors 4of said pipes of both tanks, whereby the pipes of each tank are adapted to be arranged to register an opening in one pipe with the :associated opening in the other to, thereby, trap air displaced by liquid entering one tank from the other, each said pressure connection comprising an extension of eac-h respective Ipre-'setta'ble means and rceptive of said trapped air, and pres-sure means `responsive to the pressure of said trapped air in `one extension for admitting pressure through ,said pressure connection to force the liquid from the tank in which air is trapped through the l mentioned air-passing |connection into the other ,s tank and while the Vent of the former tank is closed and the vent of the tank receiving the liquid is open, and means for operating said vent controls.

3. Apparatus according to claim 2: a vent valve in the vent of each tank and operable by the vent control of the other tank, whereby the vent valve in the vent receiving the liquid is opened by the pressure of the trapped air in the other tank.

4. Apparatus according to claim 2: each pressure connection including a normally-'closed ilow valve, the iiow valve of the pressure connection of one tank and the vent valve cf the other tank being operatively interconnected and simultaneously opened by the trapped air in said one tank.

5. Apparatus according to claim 2: each pressure connection including .a normally-closed dow valve, the flow valve of the pressure connection of one tank and the vent valve of the other tank being operatively interconnected and simultaneously opened by the trapped air in said one tank, and a pressure-responsive diaphragm movable by said trapped air and operatively engaged with said valves to open the same.

6. In apparatus of the chara-cter described, a tank having a controlled vent, means controlling the level of liquid passing into the tank while the vent is 'open and comprising an outer tube extending vertically into the tank and spaced from the bottom thereof, said outer tube having a set of longitudinally spaced apertures, a relatively rotatable tube within said outer tube and having la set of similarly spaced apertures horizontally aligned with the respective apertures of the outer tube, the apertu-res of one set being vertically aligned and the apertures of the other set being diierently radially directed whereby the rotatable tube is adapted to be adjusted to register one selected :aperture therein with the horizontally aligned aperture of the outer tube, the interior of said tubes being open to liquid `entering the tank the outer tube having an upper extension in which air is trapped and compressed by liquid filling the tank to a level above the registered apertures, a source of compressed air, a connection between said source and upper extension and means responsive to the pressure of said trapped air to open said connection to now of compressed air into said extension from said source to eiect discharge of liquid from the tank.

JOHN H. DALEY. ELMER. W. LARSEN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 827,494 Blackburn Dec. 3, 1907 1,472,839 Hulse Nov. 6, 1923 1,549,952 Anderson Aug. 18, 1925 2,035,513 Speranza Mar. 31, 1936 2,145,540 Ellis Jan. 31, 1939 2,213,069 rEngels et al Aug. 27, 1940 2,215,018 Schmitt Sept. 17, 1940 2,233,852 Schmitt Mar. 4, 1941 2,243,446 Terlesky et al. May 27, 1941 2,390,757 Voris Dec. 11, 1945 

